Friday, August 12

Lionel Messi returns to Argentina national team after sudden international retirement

Argentine star footballer, Lionel Messi has announced that he has reversed his earlier decision to retire from international football. The Barcelona star had announced his retirement after Argentina lost in three consecutive finals of the Copa America. Several prominent footballers and football officials had appealed to Messi to return back to action for his country.

“I see that there are a lot of problems in Argentina football and I don’t want to create more,” he said in a statement on Friday. “I don’t want to cause harm, on the contrary, my goal was to help in any way I could.”

“There are many things that need to be fixed in Argentine football. But I prefer to help from inside rather than stand on the outside and criticise,”

“A lot of things ran through my head on the day of the [Copa America] final. And I seriously considered leaving the team. But I love my shirt and my country too much.

“I want to thank all the fans who wanted me to keep playing for Argentina. I hope we can give them joy very soon.”